Human Development and Family Studies

Penn State's Department of Human Development and Family Studies is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and service regarding lifespan human development in the context of the family, community, and society.

HDFS offers an interdisciplinary approach to individual and family development across the lifespan. As one of the premier departments of its kind, we focus on child and adolescent development, adult development and aging, biological aspects of human development, family studies, intervention research, and developmental research methods.

Professor recognized for work in gerontology

Nilam Ram, associate professor of human development and family studies and psychology, received the 2015 Margaret M. and Paul B. Baltes Award on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America. This award recognizes early career contributions to social and behavioral gerontology.

Paul and Margaret Baltes were former faculty members of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State and were instrumental in pushing forward the field of lifespan development.

Effective in July, Diana H. Fishbein will take over as director of the Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center.

“Diana Fishbein is a distinguished scholar who brings a wealth of experience to the position,” said Ann C. Crouter, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Shultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development. “She brings an emphasis on integrating prevention science and neuroscience.”